Antimicrobial obturator for use with vascular access devices

ABSTRACT

An obturator can include antimicrobial features which assist in sterilizing or maintaining the sterility of fluid contained within a vascular access device while the device is not being used for infusion or other access to the patient&#39;s vasculature. These antimicrobial features include antimicrobial coatings applied to various surfaces of an obturator and antimicrobial components bonded or otherwise secured to an obturator. Various combinations of antimicrobial coatings and/or components can be used on an obturator as necessary to provide a desired amount of antimicrobial agents within a particular enclosed volume of a vascular access device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to obturators for peripheral IVcatheters or other vascular access devices. In particular, the presentinvention relates to obturators that are configured to provideantimicrobial protection to vascular access devices when the obturatorsare inserted within the vascular access devices.

Catheters are commonly used for a variety of infusion therapies. Forexample, catheters are used for infusing fluids, such as normal salinesolution, various medicaments, and total parenteral nutrition into apatient, withdrawing blood from a patient, as well as monitoring variousparameters of the patient's vascular system.

Catheter-related bloodstream infections are caused by the colonizationof microorganisms in patients with intravascular catheters and I.V.access devices. These infections are an important cause of illness andexcess medical costs. More importantly, these infections often result inpatient deaths.

Many techniques have been employed to reduce the risk of infection froma catheter or other intravenous device. For example, catheters have beendesigned that employ an antimicrobial lubricant or an antimicrobialcoating on an inner or outer surface of the catheter. Similarly,antimicrobial lubricants or coatings have been applied to the surfacesof other components of a catheter assembly, components attached to thecatheter assembly, or other medical devices which may come in directcontact with the patient's vasculature or in contact with a fluid thatmay enter the patient's vasculature. Further, some devices or componentsare made of a material that is impregnated with an antimicrobial agent.

Although these techniques have been beneficial, there are variousdrawbacks that limit their usefulness. For example, it can be difficultand/or expensive to apply an antimicrobial coating or lubricant to thecomplex internal and external geometries of many devices or components.Also, some devices or components are preferably made of a material thatis not suitable for the application of an antimicrobial coating or thatcannot be impregnated with an antimicrobial agent. Because of suchdifficulties, the current techniques for providing antimicrobialprotection are oftentimes not used or, if used, are not adequatelyapplied to provide maximum antimicrobial protection.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention extends to obturators for vascular access devices.An obturator configured in accordance with the present invention caninclude antimicrobial features which assist in sterilizing ormaintaining the sterility of fluid contained within a vascular accessdevice while the device is not being used for infusion or other accessto the patient's vasculature.

These antimicrobial features include antimicrobial coatings applied tovarious surfaces of an obturator and antimicrobial components bonded orotherwise secured to an obturator. Various combinations of antimicrobialcoatings and/or components can be used on an obturator as necessary toprovide a desired amount of antimicrobial agents within a particularenclosed volume of a vascular access device.

In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as an obturatorfor a vascular access device. The obturator includes a catheter portionconfigured to be inserted through a lumen of the vascular access deviceand into a proximal end of a catheter of the vascular access devicewhile the catheter is placed intravenously within a patient, and a capportion configured to secure the obturator to the vascular accessdevice. The catheter portion includes an antimicrobial coatingconfigured to release an antimicrobial agent into fluid contained withinthe vascular access device.

In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as anobturator for a vascular access device. The obturator includes acatheter portion configured to be inserted through a lumen of thevascular access device and into a proximal end of a catheter of thevascular access device while the catheter is placed intravenously withina patient, a middle portion configured to be positioned within the lumenof the vascular access device while the catheter portion is insertedinto the catheter, and a cap portion configured to secure the obturatorto the vascular access device. The obturator further includes anantimicrobial ring positioned around the middle portion. Theantimicrobial ring is configured to release an antimicrobial agent intofluid contained within the lumen of the vascular access device.

In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as anobturator for a vascular access device. The obturator includes acatheter portion configured to be inserted through a lumen of thevascular access device and into a proximal end of a catheter of thevascular access device while the catheter is placed intravenously withina patient, and a base portion configured to be inserted into the lumento seal the lumen. The obturator further includes an antimicrobialcomponent that is configured to release an antimicrobial agent intofluid contained within the lumen of the vascular access device.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. Thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained bymeans of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. These and other features of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following description andappended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention asset forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the invention briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A-1C each illustrate an obturator that includes an antimicrobialcoating in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective front view of the obturator prior tobeing inserted into a vascular access device. FIG. 1B illustrates across-sectional front view of the obturator of FIG. 1A prior to beinginserted into a vascular access device. FIG. 1C illustrates theobturator of FIGS. 1A and 1B after the obturator has been inserted intoa vascular access device which in this example is a peripheralintravenous catheter.

FIGS. 2A-2D each illustrate an obturator that includes an antimicrobialring in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. FIG.2A illustrates a perspective front view of the obturator prior to beinginserted into a vascular access device. FIG. 2B illustrates across-sectional front view of the obturator of FIG. 2A prior to beinginserted into a vascular access device. FIG. 2C illustrates theobturator of FIGS. 2A and 2B after the obturator has been inserted intoa vascular access device which in this example is a peripheralintravenous catheter. FIG. 2D illustrates a cut-away perspective frontview of the obturator of FIGS. 2A-2C when the obturator is positionedwithin a ported catheter.

FIGS. 3A and 3B provide cross-sectional front views of an obturatorhaving an antimicrobial coating and a vascular access device. FIG. 3Aillustrates the obturator prior to being inserted into the vascularaccess device. FIG. 3B illustrates the obturator after being insertedinto the vascular access device as well as how an antimicrobial agentcontained within the antimicrobial agent is released into fluidcontained within the lumen of the vascular access device.

FIGS. 4A and 4B provide cross-sectional front views of an obturatorhaving an antimicrobial ring and a vascular access device. FIG. 4Aillustrates the obturator prior to being inserted into the vascularaccess device. FIG. 4B illustrates the obturator after being insertedinto the vascular access device as well as how an antimicrobial agentcontained within the antimicrobial ring is released into fluid containedwithin the lumen of the vascular access device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention extends to obturators for vascular access devices.An obturator configured in accordance with the present invention caninclude antimicrobial features which assist in sterilizing ormaintaining the sterility of fluid contained within a vascular accessdevice while the device is not being used for infusion or other accessto the patient's vasculature.

These antimicrobial features include antimicrobial coatings applied tovarious surfaces of an obturator and antimicrobial components bonded orotherwise secured to an obturator. Various combinations of antimicrobialcoatings and/or components can be used on an obturator as necessary toprovide a desired amount of antimicrobial agents within a particularenclosed volume of a vascular access device.

In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as an obturatorfor a vascular access device. The obturator includes a catheter portionconfigured to be inserted through a lumen of the vascular access deviceand into a proximal end of a catheter of the vascular access devicewhile the catheter is placed intravenously within a patient, and a capportion configured to secure the obturator to the vascular accessdevice. The catheter portion includes an antimicrobial coatingconfigured to release an antimicrobial agent into fluid contained withinthe vascular access device.

In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as anobturator for a vascular access device. The obturator includes acatheter portion configured to be inserted through a lumen of thevascular access device and into a proximal end of a catheter of thevascular access device while the catheter is placed intravenously withina patient, a middle portion configured to be positioned within the lumenof the vascular access device while the catheter portion is insertedinto the catheter, and a cap portion configured to secure the obturatorto the vascular access device. The obturator further includes anantimicrobial ring positioned around the middle portion. Theantimicrobial ring is configured to release an antimicrobial agent intofluid contained within the lumen of the vascular access device.

In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as anobturator for a vascular access device. The obturator includes acatheter portion configured to be inserted through a lumen of thevascular access device and into a proximal end of a catheter of thevascular access device while the catheter is placed intravenously withina patient, and a base portion configured to be inserted into the lumento seal the lumen. The obturator further includes an antimicrobialcomponent that is configured to release an antimicrobial agent intofluid contained within the lumen of the vascular access device.

An obturator for a vascular access device is commonly used as a means ofsealing the lumen of a catheter of a vascular access device while thecatheter is positioned intravenously but is not being used for infusion,medication administration, or other types of vascular access. As anexample, an obturator may be inserted within a peripheral intravenouscatheter when the peripheral intravenous catheter will not be used toaccess the patient's vasculature for a substantial amount of time (e.g.24 hours).

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an example embodiment of an obturator configuredin accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1A illustrates aperspective view of an obturator 100 that is configured to be insertedwithin a peripheral intravenous catheter or another vascular accessdevice, FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of obturator 100, andFIG. 1C illustrates a cross-sectional view of obturator 100 wheninserted into a peripheral intravenous catheter 150.

Obturator 100 includes a catheter portion 101, a middle portion 102, abase portion 103, and a cap portion 104. Catheter portion 101 is sizedso that is can be inserted within the catheter of a peripheralintravenous catheter. In many cases, the outer diameter of catheterportion 101 is configured to be substantially the same as the innerdiameter of the catheter of a peripheral intravenous catheter in whichobturator 100 is to be used so that catheter portion 101 forms a sealpreventing the flow of fluids through the catheter. Accordingly,catheter portion 101 can be defined as the portion of the obturator thatis configured to be inserted into a catheter of a vascular accessdevice.

Catheter portion 101 can be configured with various lengths. Forexample, the length of catheter portion 101 can be configured so thatthe distal end of catheter portion 101 is positioned at or near thedistal end of the catheter. Alternatively, the length of catheterportion 101 can be configured so that the distal end of catheter portion101 extends distally out from the catheter. Similarly, the length ofcatheter portion 101 can be configured so that the distal end of thecatheter portion is positioned proximally to the distal end of thecatheter. In short, the specific length of catheter portion 101 is notessential to the invention and any length of catheter portion 101 can beemployed as long as catheter portion 101 extends at least partially intothe catheter when obturator 100 is inserted into the vascular accessdevice.

Middle portion 102 comprises a length of obturator 100 that ispositioned between catheter portion 101 and base portion 103. In FIGS.1A-1C, middle portion 102 is shown as having a larger diameter thancatheter portion 101. However, middle portion 102 could also beconfigured with a diameter that is the same as or less than the diameterof catheter portion 101. Middle portion 102 is positioned betweencatheter portion 101 and base portion 103 so that it remains within thelumen of the vascular access device in which obturator 100 is placed.Accordingly, middle portion 102 refers more particularly to a length ofthe obturator rather than to a separate or distinguishable portion ofthe obturator. Therefore, even though the figures identify middleportion 102 as a length of the obturator having a different diameterthan the other portions, this is not required.

Base portion 103 comprises a portion of obturator 100 having a diameterthat is substantially the same as the diameter of the lumen of thevascular access device in which the obturator is used. Therefore, apurpose of base portion 103 is to seal the lumen of a vascular accessdevice. Although the figures illustrate obturators that include baseportions configured to seal the lumen of a vascular access device, anobturator in accordance with the present invention does not require abase portion configured in this manner. For example, an obturator caninclude a base portion that has a diameter that is less than thediameter of the lumen such that the base portion does not seal thelumen.

Cap portion 104 comprises a proximal portion of obturator 100 that isconfigured to secure the obturator to the vascular access device. Insome embodiments such as is shown in the figures, cap portion 104 can beconfigured to extend overtop the proximal end of the vascular accessdevice. In such embodiments, an inner surface of cap portion 104 caninclude threads for locking the cap portion 104 to the vascular accessdevice. Alternatively, an inner surface of cap portion 104 can beconfigured to form a friction fit with the outer surface of the vascularaccess device. In other embodiments, cap portion 104 can be designed sothat no portion extends overtop the exterior of the vascular accessdevice. In essence, a cap portion 104 can be defined as the portion ofthe obturator that the user grips to insert and remove the obturatorfrom a vascular access device. In many cases, cap portion 104 will alsoform a cover overtop the proximal opening of the vascular access device,but this is not required by the invention.

Although this description describes an obturator as including distinctcatheter, middle, base, and cap portions, the intent of this descriptionis to assist in the understanding of the invention and should not beconstrued as limiting the claims. In particular, an obturator inaccordance with the present invention could be configured only withdistinct cap and catheter portions with the cap portion being theportion that a user grips and the catheter portion extending distallyfrom the cap portion.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, obturator100 can also include an antimicrobial coating on one or more portions.The location of the antimicrobial coating can be selected so that theantimicrobial coating will be in contact with residual fluid thatremains within the vascular access device after use. As this residualfluid contacts the antimicrobial coating, one or more antimicrobialagents contained within the coating can be dispersed (e.g. eluted ordissolved) into the residual fluid thereby sterilizing or maintainingthe sterility of the fluid. In this way, the risk of microbialcolonization within the vascular access device is reduced.

As depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C, an antimicrobial coating 110 (which is notvisible in these figures) can be applied to catheter portion 101.Antimicrobial coating 110 can extend along any length of catheterportion 110. As depicted in these figures, antimicrobial coating extendsfrom a distal tip of catheter portion 101 to middle portion 102. In someembodiments, antimicrobial coating 110 could also extend along middleportion 102 and/or base portion 103. In other embodiments, antimicrobialcoating 110 may only be applied on middle portion 102 and/or baseportion 103.

As shown in FIG. 1C, obturator 100 can be inserted into a peripheralintravenous catheter 150 (or another vascular access device). Peripheralintravenous catheter 150 comprises a catheter adapter 152 having a lumen153, and a catheter 151 that extends distally from catheter adapter 152.As shown, obturator 100 can be inserted into peripheral intravenouscatheter 150 so that catheter portion 101 extends into catheter 151. Capportion 104 can be configured to extend overtop the proximal end/openingof catheter adapter 152.

In the example shown in FIG. 1C, base portion 103 is configured with adiameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of lumen 153.Therefore, when obturator 100 is fully inserted into peripheralintravenous catheter 150, base portion 103 forms a seal within lumen153. Also, with obturator 100 fully inserted, the proximal end ofcatheter portion 101 is positioned within lumen 153. As such, a portionof catheter portion 101 that includes antimicrobial coating 110 iscontained within lumen 153. In this way, any residual fluid within lumen153 can come in contact with antimicrobial coating 110 which enables theantimicrobial agents contained within antimicrobial coating to bedispensed within the fluid. Similarly, any fluid that remains withincatheter 151 will be in contact with antimicrobial coating 110 on thelength of catheter portion 101 that is positioned within catheter 151.Therefore, the antimicrobial agents can be dispensed from obturator 100both within catheter 151 and lumen 153.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate another example embodiment of an obturatorconfigured in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2A illustratesa perspective view of an obturator 200 that is configured to be insertedwithin a peripheral intravenous catheter or another vascular accessdevice, FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of obturator 200, andFIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of obturator 200 wheninserted into a peripheral intravenous catheter 250.

Obturator 200, like obturator 100, includes a catheter portion 201, amiddle portion 202, a base portion 203, and a cap portion 204. In someembodiments, obturator 200 may also include antimicrobial coating 110,as described above, on catheter portion 201. However, in describingFIGS. 2A-2C, it will be assumed that obturator 200 does not includeantimicrobial coating 110.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, obturator200 can also include an antimicrobial ring 210. Antimicrobial ring 210can comprise a material that contains one or more antimicrobial agents.As will be further described below, the antimicrobial agents can becontained within the material or on the surface (e.g. as a coating) ofthe material from which the ring is made. The location of antimicrobialring 210 can be selected so that the antimicrobial ring will be incontact with residual fluid that remains within the vascular accessdevice after use. As this residual fluid contacts the antimicrobialring, one or more antimicrobial agents contained within the ring can bedispersed (e.g. eluted or dissolved) into the residual fluid therebysterilizing or maintaining the sterility of the fluid. In this way, therisk of microbial colonization within the vascular access device isreduced.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, antimicrobial ring 210 is positioned aroundmiddle portion 202. Therefore, antimicrobial ring 210 will be positionedwithin lumen 253 when obturator 200 is inserted into peripheralintravenous catheter 250 as is shown in FIG. 2C. Because antimicrobialring 210 is positioned within lumen 253, any residual fluid contained inlumen 253 can come in contact with antimicrobial ring 210 therebycausing the antimicrobial agents contained in or on antimicrobial ring210 to be dispersed into the fluid.

As stated above, in some embodiments, antimicrobial ring 210 can be usedon an obturator that also includes an antimicrobial coating 110 on itscatheter portion. Using both can ensure that adequate amounts ofantimicrobial agents are dispensed in both the catheter and lumen of thecatheter adapter since antimicrobial ring 210 can account for theincreased amount of antimicrobial agents required to effectively treatthe larger volume of the lumen.

In addition to a ring, antimicrobial components of other shapes can alsobe employed. For example, many differently shaped antimicrobialcomponents can be affixed to an obturator at various locations toprovide antimicrobial benefits to a vascular access device. Accordingly,an obturator in accordance with the present invention may include one ormore antimicrobial components that are affixed or otherwise secured tothe obturator.

Various types of antimicrobial coatings can be employed on obturators inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. In someembodiments, an alcohol-based formulation containing one or moreantimicrobial agents can be applied to the surface (e.g. catheterportion 101) of the obturator such as by dipping or spraying. Onceapplied, the alcohol can dissolve from the surface leaving behind aresidue containing the antimicrobial agents thereby forming theantimicrobial coating. In such embodiments, the antimicrobial coatingthus formed will dissolve into the fluid within the vascular accessdevice. Using a dissolvable antimicrobial coating can be preferred inmany applications where an obturator will be used over a relativelyshorter duration of time since the rapid dissolving of the coatingresults in a quick release of the antimicrobial agents into the fluid.Examples of suitable formulations and methods that can be used to applythe formulations on an obturator are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/438,559, titled Systems and Methods for Applyinga Novel Antimicrobial Coating Material to a Medical Device which isincorporated by reference.

In other embodiments, an antimicrobial coating can be formed of a matrixthat includes one or more antimicrobial agents. For example, the matrixcan be a polymer or other suitable material that is cured (e.g. via UVcuring) or otherwise bonded to the surface of the obturator. In suchcoatings, the antimicrobial agent will be eluted from the matrix coatingin a controlled fashion. Examples of suitable matrixes and methods ofapplying the matrixes that can be employed to form an antimicrobialcoating on an obturator are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,512,294, titledVascular Access Device Antimicrobial Materials and Solutions; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/397,760, titled AntimicrobialCompositions; Ser. No. 12/476,997, titled Antimicrobial CoatingCompositions; Ser. No. 12/490,235, titled Systems and Methods forApplying an Antimicrobial Coating to a Medical Device; and Ser. No.12/831,880, titled Antimicrobial Coating for Dermally Invasive Devices;each of which is incorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, an antimicrobial component (e.g. a ring) can beformed of any suitable material and can have an antimicrobial coatingformed of either an alcohol-based formulation or a base material matrixand antimicrobial agents as described in the previous paragraphs. Inother embodiments, the material from which the antimicrobial componentis made can comprise the base material matrix and the antimicrobialagents. In other words, an antimicrobial component can be comprisedentirely of a base material matrix or can only have a coating comprisedof either the base material matrix or the alcohol-based formulation. Ineither case, an antimicrobial component can be bonded or mechanicallyconnected to an obturator.

In embodiments of the invention, an obturator can be configured with oneor more of the three general types of antimicrobial protection describedabove. In other words, an obturator can include an antimicrobial coatingformed using an alcohol-based formulation, an antimicrobial coatingformed of a base material matrix, and an antimicrobial component(whether formed entirely of a base material matrix, having only acoating of a base material matrix, or having a coating of analcohol-based formulation). Various combinations of these types ofantimicrobial protection can be employed on an obturator to give theobturator the desired antimicrobial properties when used within avascular access device.

In many obturator designs, the catheter portion and base portion of theobturator form seals at opposite ends of the vascular access deviceeffectively creating a locked volume of fluid within the vascular accessdevice. Based on a typical volume of fluid that can be expected to existwithin a vascular access device, an obturator can be configured with anappropriate antimicrobial coating and/or component to ensure that thetypical volume of fluid will be adequately treated.

To provide an appropriate amount of antimicrobial agents, variousfactors can be considered including the total surface area or amount(e.g. in weight) of the antimicrobial coating on the obturator, theconcentration of the antimicrobial agents within the coating ormaterial, the rate at which the coating or material will elute ordispense the antimicrobial agents, and the type of antimicrobial agent.For example, to achieve a typical inhibitory concentration of 20 ppm forpseudomonas aeruginosa in a locked volume of 0.16 cc of fluid within acatheter adapter over a 24 hour period, 3.2 μg of chlorhexidine wouldneed to be released from the obturator. Additionally, to attain atypical bacteriocidal concentration of 500 ppm for pseudomonasaeruginosa, a minimum of 80 μg of chlorhexidine would need to bereleased from the obturator. Accordingly, in an embodiment where theobturator includes an antimicrobial coating formed using analcohol-based formulation (i.e. a coating from which the agentsdissolve) and the obturator is desired to provide protection againstpseudomonas aeruginosa, an antimicrobial coating having a minimum targetweight may range from 3.5 to 81 μg (depending on whether an inhibitoryor bacteriocidal concentration is desired). On the other hand, in anembodiment where the obturator includes an antimicrobial coating orcomponent comprised of a base material matrix containing antimicrobialagents (i.e. a coating or component that elutes the agents) and it isdesired that the obturator provide antimicrobial protection for a 24hour period, an antimicrobial coating or component having a surface areaas small as 2.5 mm² may be suitable.

The above examples illustrate that the specific weight of a dissolvingantimicrobial coating or surface area of an eluting antimicrobialcoating/component can be selected based on the targeted microorganism,the desired antimicrobial effect (e.g. inhibitory or bacteriocidalconcentration), the desired duration for which the antimicrobial agentswill be effective, the release kinetics (e.g. rate of dissolution orelution) of the coating/component, and the type of antimicrobial agentused (e.g. chlorhexidine gluconate and chlorhexidine diacetate).

One benefit of employing an obturator to distribute antimicrobial agentswithin a vascular access device between uses of the device is that theobturator can be modified to include an antimicrobial coating and/orcomponent without modifying how the obturator is used. The obturator istherefore a simple means for placing antimicrobial agents in the preciselocation within the device and at the precise time when they are needed.Another benefit is that an obturator can be provided with anantimicrobial coating and/or component that is configured to distributea precise amount of antimicrobial agent to the internal volume of thedevice. As described above, the coating and/or component can becustomized based on various factors to provide the necessary amount ofantimicrobial agents for a given volume and for a desired purpose.

FIGS. 3A and 3B provide an example of how an antimicrobial coating 310on an obturator can disperse antimicrobial agents into fluid containedwithin a vascular access device. In these figures, the antimicrobialcoating is represented using the white dots shown on the catheterportion of the obturator. FIG. 3B illustrates that when the obturator isplaced within the vascular access device, antimicrobial agents aredispersed into the fluid which is represented by the black dots beingdispersed throughout the lumen of the device. In this example, it isassumed that the lumen is full of fluid. However, the antimicrobialagent can be dispersed to fluid within the lumen even when the fluiddoes not fill the lumen.

FIGS. 4A and 4B provide an example of how an antimicrobial ring 410 onan obturator can disperse antimicrobial agents into fluid containedwithin a vascular access device. As with FIG. 3B, FIG. 4B illustratesthat antimicrobial agents (represented as white dots) contained withinor on the antimicrobial component are dispersed into fluid (representedas black dots) contained within the lumen of the device.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. An obturator for a vascular access device, the obturator comprises: acatheter portion configured to be inserted through a lumen of thevascular access device and into a proximal end of a catheter of thevascular access device while the catheter is placed intravenously withina patient; and a cap portion configured to secure the obturator to thevascular access device; wherein the catheter portion includes anantimicrobial coating configured to release an antimicrobial agent intofluid contained within the vascular access device.
 2. The obturator ofclaim 1, wherein antimicrobial coating comprises a dissolvable coating.3. The obturator of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial coating comprisesa base material matrix that elutes the antimicrobial agent.
 4. Theobturator of claim 3, wherein the base material matrix is cured onto thecatheter portion.
 5. The obturator of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobialcoating is contained on a length of the catheter portion that ispositioned within the catheter.
 6. The obturator of claim 5, wherein thelength of the catheter portion also extends into the lumen of thevascular access device.
 7. The obturator of claim 1, further comprising:an antimicrobial component that is secured to the obturator, theantimicrobial component configured to release an antimicrobial agentinto the fluid contained within the vascular access device.
 8. Theobturator of claim 7, wherein the antimicrobial component includes anantimicrobial coating.
 9. The obturator of claim 7, wherein theantimicrobial component comprises a base material matrix that elutes theantimicrobial agent.
 10. An obturator for a vascular access device, theobturator comprising: a catheter portion configured to be insertedthrough a lumen of the vascular access device and into a proximal end ofa catheter of the vascular access device while the catheter is placedintravenously within a patient; a middle portion configured to bepositioned within the lumen of the vascular access device while thecatheter portion is inserted into the catheter; a cap portion configuredto secure the obturator to the vascular access device; and anantimicrobial ring positioned around the middle portion, theantimicrobial ring configured to release an antimicrobial agent intofluid contained within the lumen of the vascular access device.
 11. Theobturator of claim 10, wherein the antimicrobial ring comprises a basematerial matrix that elutes the antimicrobial agent.
 12. The obturatorof claim 11, wherein the base material matrix forms an antimicrobialcoating on the antimicrobial ring.
 13. The obturator of claim 10,wherein the catheter portion includes an antimicrobial coatingconfigured to release an antimicrobial agent into the fluid containedwithin the vascular access device.
 14. The obturator of claim 13,wherein the antimicrobial coating is dissolvable.
 15. The obturator ofclaim 13, wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises a base materialmatrix that elutes the antimicrobial agent.
 16. The obturator of claim10, further comprising: a base portion having a diameter substantiallythe same as the diameter of the lumen, the base portion configured toseal the lumen when the obturator is secured to the vascular accessdevice.
 17. An obturator for a vascular access device, the obturatorcomprising: a catheter portion configured to be inserted through a lumenof the vascular access device and into a proximal end of a catheter ofthe vascular access device while the catheter is placed intravenouslywithin a patient; a base portion configured to be inserted into thelumen to seal the lumen; and an antimicrobial component configured torelease an antimicrobial agent into fluid contained within the lumen ofthe vascular access device.
 18. The obturator of claim 17, wherein theantimicrobial component comprises a ring secured around a portion of theobturator.
 19. The obturator of claim 17, wherein the catheter portionincludes an antimicrobial coating configured to release an antimicrobialagent into the fluid contained within the vascular access device. 20.The obturator of claim 17, wherein the antimicrobial component comprisesa base material matrix that elutes the antimicrobial agent.